Classic Mode

Coin Slot

Issue: 1981 September 079

Coin Slot Magazine - #079 - 1981 - September [International Arcade Museum]
BOOK REVIEW
by Dave Evans
WALLACE-HOMESTEAD
PRICE
GUIDE
TO
ANTIQUE SLOT MACHINES, by Richard and
Barbara Reddock, published by Wallace-Homestead
Publishing Co., Des Moines, Iowa 296 pages, sticker
price $12.95, available thru COIN SLOT BOOKS at
sticker price plus postage.
Richard Reddock has been collecting slots for less
than two years, yet he was able to do enough research;
get help from enough collectors, that he could author a
very creditable book on the hobby. My first thought is
that this type of feat requires more guts than good
sense, but it shows what can be done if you put your
mind to it — have a helpful and co-operative wife, and a
wide circle of friends to lend a hand! Author Reddock
starts the book with a dedication to his wife (although
she appears as co-author) that should really hit home
to all of us who at times might not appreciate our very
tolerant wives.
The book starts off with an overview of the hobby by
Mel Getlan, a preface by the author, 3 pages of
acknowledgements to those who lent a hand, and on to
an Introduction by the effervescent Editor of THE
COIN SLOT, Mrs. Rosanna Harris An 8 page brief
history of the slot machine follows— nothing earth-
shaking, and a few "facts" which might be incorrect.
The second chapter, "How to Play for Fun and Profit,"
covers modern machines with the 3 line pay — five line
pay and multipliers. A piece on percentages follows
(ho-hum) followed by short pieces on legal states, and
Auctions. The next 25 pages trace how slot machines
were operated for profit by the operators from the first
machines sold by Herbert S. Mills up to the modern
casino. I am sure that Mr. Herb Jones of Bally did most
of this section.
The next 200 pages are the main section of the book
— a price guide together with description, date and
name of the machine. It covers machines from the
1900 uprights right up to the Mills HI-TOP of 1939 (??).
The sections are divided by manufacturer, which is a
good idea to help you find a particular machine much
more quickly.
In addition to the about 185 black and white illustra
tions, a special 8 page full color section show some
really beautiful examples of restored machines. The
photography is good, and reproductions fairly decent
figuring the illustrations are on uncoated book paper.
Yes, the color pictures are on coated paper for best
reproduction.
As for the pricings in this book, I'd rather not comment
on them. Any price guide that has ever been published
gets a lot of criticism by someone, and this one will be
no different. No matter how hard an author tried to be
accurate, someone is going to blow holes in his
pricinga For the most part, I'd have to say that Reddock's
prices tend to be on the high side. I would certainly not
want to use this book to buy machines, rather I think I'd
sell my whole collection tomorrow if I thought I could
get his average price; maybe even his low price!
But, all in all Reddock has done a good job, and I
hope the slot collectors will look at the positive side of
this book, not the few inaccuracies. I am not so sure
WANTED
I AM
ANY
INTERESTED
CONDITION
IN BUYING
WORKING
JUKEBOXES
OR NOT
that this PRICE GUIDE TO ANTIQUE SLOT MACHINES
was really written for the astute collector, although I
am sure that you, like I, will buy almost any picture book
on slots. It will be a good addition to you bookshelf.
However, after reading this book thoroughly —
leafing thru it about three times, I believe I finally hit on
the reason behind this book. I do not believe that
Richard Reddock was trying to write a book to appeal
to the "old hands" in slot collecting. Instead, he is
trying to attract new people to the hobby! That is
just what we need — more slot collectors! I have often
said that what we really need these days is a thousand
new collectors with fat pocketbooks! I feel if this book
gets proper distribution, we just might get part of that
thousand. Yes, many machines are being sold to folks
.com
m
:
u
m
use
d fro de-m
JUKEBOX
JIM
e
d
loa .a E.
rca Colfax
n 6738
w
o
w
D
w
://w
Denver,
CO 80220
p
t
t
h
(303) 321-2242
© 44
The — International
Arcade
Museum
THE COIN
SLOT
for their home rec rooms — they will buy one machine
and that is it. However, possibly this book can turn
some of those slot owners into slot collectors. I think
back — I had a slot in my rec room for a couple of years
before I saw the publicity release in PLAYBOY on Dave
Christensen's book—sending for that book started
me on the road to a very enjoyable hobby, and the
purchase of many, many machines. I hope that Richard
Reddock can "turn on" many new collectors. We need
'em.
http://www.arcade-museum.com/
September 1981
Coin Slot Magazine - #079 - 1981 - September [International Arcade Museum]
r* * *
Browsing these pages is like picking a
pathway through a forest of coin slot
collectables and discovering the ans
wers to 1000 questions -most of which
may never have crossed your mind.
DISPLAY
ADS
At last! A fingertip-handy selection from those
renowned trade ads from The Billboard
magazine that form the primary base for mod
ern day reporting on vintage coin-operated
machines! Now released in a big, permanent
volume, indexed and ready for your continuous
reference pleasure!
ARE
If you were a slot machine and counter game
operator in the golden age, 77?e Billboard is
where you first learned of the latest models, of
special accessories, of rebuilts and revamps. If
you missed this experience the Treasury
provides you with a full review of this passing
VALUABLE
• ••i
SEND
FOR
OUR
L
parade.
configuration into a whole line . . . Open
You'll be there when: The age of anonymity
accents advance play, fortune telling and
vending guises to help in securing locations..
. That old lure-the visible jackpot-is revisited
...A rash of jackpot front conversion attach
ments follow. .. Lightweight counter games
begin to proliferate with appeals to low initial
Territory becomes only a memory as viable
locations are so reduced in number that
operators look to other venture for survival...
Thousands of machines listed and priced!
Hundreds of descriptions!
700 illustrations. 600 separate ads. 480
cost and the convenience of portable action..
. Penny play models keep operators going in
the Big Depression... The slug problem be
comes acute and counter measures become
more sophisticated... Used Bells compete in
pages. 6
price with new counter games ... Two plays
are offered for one coin...
Slot Machines of Yesteryear Operator's
Companion series —
Mills starts modem times with the introduction
ofits.Silent ...The decibel level in Bell play
declines generally as other makers begin to
emulate the Mills with pads and cushions...
Pin tables appear, often finding acceptance
where Bells are barred... Watting surprises all
with a highly styled coin escalation carousel..
. The wedding of a Bell mechanism with a pin
mole creates most unusual machines from the
McCoy to the Flasher... Jennings establishes
Each matching volume recreates the lore and
the legend of a single manufacturer's line in a
series unparalleled in depth and focus as a
primary source of information tor today's en
thusiast. Reproductions center, for the most
part, on material issued directly by the single,
genuine founteJnhead source - the manufac
turer. Reproduction includes a stunning array
of authentic literature and unique trade docu
ments, assembled with the cooperation of
leading archivists. All inclusive coverage is not
claimed, but each presents a wealth of key
Indian head theme.
matter tied together with original text.
Columbia introduces a mighty midget Bell with
Innovative features permitting coin denomina
tion changes and low-end payouts using «r>e
last coin received... Counter games become
ubiquitous in locations with limited play action
... Multi-coin play appears in various forms...
MILLS OF THE THIRTIES (Slot Machines of
Yesteryear series)
110 illustrations. 192 pages. 6" x 9" deluxe
hardbound, metallic foil-stamped volume.
The Vest Pocket arrives to fill a vast "lunch
counter niche" never before occupied by an
automatic payout machine . . . The pedestal
"club" Bell becomes the square Bell... Then
multi-Bell variations engender the Super Bell
$20. postpaid.
MILLS OF THE FORTIES (Slot Machines of
Yesteryear series)
... Manufacturing is curtailed by World War II
. . . Rebuilding and revamping becomes an
industry and prices soar... The Black Cherry
inspires imitators . ..
200 illustrations. 192 pages. 6" x 9" deluxe
hardbound, metallic foil-stamped volume.
$20. postpaid.
Rebuilders view themselves as manufacturers
... Pace nils special exclusive markets ...The
Post-Era Books
fun fades as operators attempt to cope with
devious players, cheating locations, hijack
I
x 9", deluxe hardbound, metallic
foil-stamped volume. $22, postpaid.
a hallmark for its fine through repetition of its
CURRENT
RATE
CARD
* * *
You Will Enjoy ...
COLLECTOR'S TREASURY OF ANTIQUE
SLOT MACHINES from Contemporary
ings and threats of raids ... Counter actions
involve token ejectors, jackpot meters and
weighted safes... Mills expands its Jewel Bell
BOX 150-C
ARCADIA CA 91006
(All prices Include stopping and sales tax)
WATUNG OPERATOR'S COMPANION (Slot
s of Yesteryear series)
150 Illustrations. 192
2 p
pages. 6" x 9" deluxe
hardbound, metallic foil-stamped volume.
$20. postpaid.
FOR SALE MIR SAL! FO
mil SALl FOR SALB FO
PAYPHONES: 1000 old: $19,000. Sell for $100,000 In 5
hardbound. Ifs pure cream! $13.95/U.P.S. Jukebox
Collector, 2545CS SE 60th Ct, Des Moines, IA 50317.
years; the same pattern as woodphones were 10 years
ago. One $49. Many others, parts. 200-pg list $2. Phoneco,
$5. Rt. 2, Galesville, Wl 54630 (608) 582-4124.
SLOT MACHINE COVERS-Durable cotton/dacron - Tai
lor made for a perfect fit. With 2 color logo on front
5$ SUPERIOR HORSE RACE slot machines-2 each. 50
early WAR EAGLES-2 each. 5$-25$ ROL-A-TOP. 5 (Jennings, Caille, Mills, Pace, Watling) $9.50 EACH POST
ROL-A-TOP. 50 LION'S HEADS with original token. 5$
Zwicker, P.O. 2739, Youngstown, OH 44507 (216) 743-
ROMAN H EAD with original gold award tokens 5$ SWEET
om
m.c
HEART Q.T. All machines guaranteed complete, no recasts,
some fully restored. (206) 248-1642.
:
eu "Chicken
s old-stock
ROL-A-TOP OWNERS, use
authentic
rom
u
f
m
d
-
Wire" glass in your
No longer made,
e
d windows
ade jackpot
a $10.00
o Each
l
c
r
stock up now!
piece
plus $1.50 first class
n
a
.
w pieces gets 10% discount Chuck
postage.
or w
more
Dow Five //w
:
Treuter, Route
7,
Box
180-A, Evansville, Indiana 47712.
http
"JUKEBOX THE GOLDEN AGE" A pictorial guide to
collectable jukeboxes 65 pictures in color. 104 pages
© The
International
Arcade Museum
September
1981
PAID.
Dealers - quantity
prices.
Free
brochure.
Bob
9733.
WRINKLE PAINTS-In Stock: Brown, Black, Red, Blue,
Green, Silver, Tan, Grey. Similar to original finish- hides
scratches 16 oz. can - $6.00. Carton of 6 - $30.00. Post
paid, VISA, Mastercharge. Box Zwicker, P.O. 2739, Youngs
town, OH 44507, (216) 743-9733. Free Brochure.
Pedestal stand for slot machine. Black Cast Iron $80.00
freight collect 30" high Victorian Style. Poloroid $1.00
Louis Costet, 1500 Monument Blvd., Concord, CA 94520.
(415)827-4545.
http://www.arcade-museum.com/
THE COIN SLOT-45

Download Page 44: PDF File | Image

Download Page 45 PDF File | Image

Future scanning projects are planned by the International Arcade Museum Library (IAML).

Pro Tip: You can flip pages on the issue easily by using the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard.